STEPBROTHER ROMANCE BOX SET: Romance Stories For My Hot Stepbrother, My Younger Stepbrother Soldier & Dr. Stepbrother (Romance, Alphas Bad Boy Soldier ... Forbidden Short Stories, Military Romance) by Andrea Niles, Trudy Valdez Read Free Book Online Page A

fit. There were sweat stains under the arms. “I sweat at night!” Alex shouted louder than he’d wanted to. He was growing more angry having to defend his mind.
    “You seem easily irritated. Another symptom. Do you have nightmares, Alexander?”
    Alex looked away from the older man’s face. He did had nightmares and those were just the nights he was able to fall asleep. Most nights, Alex was up, pacing. The dead visited him. Friends he’d lost. People he’d grown to love, respect. He could picture their faces now. Immediately, breathing came hard to Alex. He grabbed for his chest. He couldn’t breathe. He looked up to Dr. Patterson.
    Dr. Patterson moved quickly. He placed a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Sarah!” He shouted.
    Sarah quickly entered, as though she’d been on the other side of the door. Her face showed her fear. Alex didn’t understand what she was so afraid of. It wasn’t like she was the one about to pass out.
    Sarah took a seat on Alex’s bed. She took the hand that was grabbing his chest and held it tightly. She grabbed his other hand as well. She squeezed them, trying to comfort him. Her pale blue eyes looked directly into his. Her look had gone from one of fear to one of compassion. Peace. “It’s okay, Alex. Everything is fine.” Her words were soft to his ears. He’d never heard her say anything like that to him before. He’d never heard her use that tone with him before. It was soothing. “I’m right here, Alex. Everything is going to be okay.”
    One of her hands reached out and began to stroke his short black hair. It was nice. She was being nice to him. This alone should have given him more of a reason to panic, but instead, Alex felt himself calm. His breathing slowed down.
    “Sarah studied Nursing in college,” Dr. Patterson was talking again. “She’s going to be taking care of you for now.”
    Alex shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
    Dr. Patterson looked away for a moment before his eyes returned to Alex. “When your father died, he’d cut Rachel out of the will completely, leaving everything to you, Alex. But when you were reported missing, the estate was then returned to Rachel. The board would like to see you resume the position that your father held, but with your new condition, that may take time…” Dr. Patterson looked away again.
    Alex was surprised Rachel had been removed from the will. The tramp had finally got what she deserved, but Alex didn’t understand why he couldn’t take over now. “I can’t be in charge because I have nightmares and night sweats?”
    Sarah turned her head away from him then. Alex was left with no eyes to meet. Dr. Patterson eventually turned back to him. “No. You can’t be in charge because of what happened after you heard the news about your father.”

Chapter 3 – A New Way to See
     
     
    Dinner was a quiet affair that night. Sarah sat at the head. Rachel didn’t want it and Alex didn’t want to sit next to Rachel. It left Sarah in the middle, but that didn’t mean the two enemies didn’t throw one another dirty looks every once and awhile.
    “The meal is delicious. So much better than what we at on the airship. You must tell me the recipe you used, Rachel.” Alex’s sarcasm had returned. He held a wine glass over his lips. It hid his grin from Rachel, but not from Sarah. It took every fiber in Sarah’s being not to smile. Rachel didn’t cook. Alex knew that. The meal had been prepared by Hannah.
    Rachel’s eyes narrowed. She’d dressed up for tonight. Give Rachel any reason and she’ll put on heels. Her strawberry blond hair was pulled back, showing off a pair of teardrop diamond earrings.  “I’m sure anything’s better than what you’ve been eating for the last five years.”
    Low blow.
    Alex’s anger was quick. Alex had been stranded on an little deserted island for the last five years. He wouldn’t share what happened on the island or how he’d managed to stay alive. He didn’t even tell